late yesterday in a statement, admiral thad allen the u.s. government and bp allowed for the integrity test to continue another 24 hours. bp has hinted it could keep it sealed for weeks. >> there is no evidence that we lack integrity in the well. >> scientists had feared the pressure of shutting that oil in could rupture the cement casing. that is not happening. >> as long as its holding the pressure that is building inside of it, that is a very good sign. >> yet the government may ask bp to open the valve in the stacking cap to begin capturing the oil and siphoning up to ships on the surface getting one very important piece of information, the amount of oil that has been leaking. >> they can get a good number on what the flow rate was. >> the sum total could be up to 22 bye. there is visibly oil around the well though millions lurk in the gulf. then there are two relief wells, first, this one five feet away from the target but it could take two weeks to close the distance once they intercept the well, force feed a con cubs of mud and cement